Vartarg first blood
- Thread starter snert
- Start date
About 30 minutes north of Rhinebeck,
snert
Silver $$ Contributor
Update:
Houston, Tranquility Base. Eagle has landed.
After several weeks and 4K+ miles, Mrs. Snert and her driver have arrived safely home in PA. So here is an update from when I last wrote:
After the beach in CT we headed out to OK where we spent a week visiting our daughter, SIL and grandbaby Abby. She is learning words, and "grandpa" came out "baba" then simply BAAAAB! So, ironically I am now grandpa "BAAAB". I am ok with that.
After five days we left eastern OK.
(sadly I missed a meet with @357Mag who has PM'd with me on and off for a year or more, but on our day to do lunch near Bartlesville and meet for real I was down with the revenge of Senor Mexamerican El Botulism and was in no shape to do anything but sit...) Next time Mag!
We drove out to an obscure little place in the panhandle where I met with my friend Mark who welcomes me at his ranch and allows me to shoot his prairie dogs. A true gentleman.
Mrs. Snert lounged in the comfort of our van reading while I engaged in a gluttony of shooting.
The weather was HOT, HOTTER, and DAMN HOT. And dry as a popcorn fart. But the PD didn't seem to care. Mark told me that the rattlers would stay in during the hottest times and he was correct. I saw a badger, a bunch of cottontails, several turtles, a few hawks and lots of vultures! Oh, and a beautiful black widow spider, see photos.
Day one was shooting from 100-250 yards and I took 64, mostly with the Vartarg. It was a bit windy, but hold off was not extreme. The VT is a gem. The BAT SV is smooth and the coned bolt is great for feeding (no Remington 700 flip). The Leupold 6-18 was set at 12 and was great for holding off in the wind. I can say the 34 gr Dogtown does a number on little dogs. I saw "rockets" launched, pizza being made, magical flying rodents and "parts is parts'...the THWOCK sound was loud and solid when a good hit was made. I can see why folks love the VT. No real barrel heating, continued accuracy into the 100 rounds fired zone, no recoil of note and plenty of "dead" spilled out to 250 yards. I did not shoot farther because I did not need to.
I did try my 17FB Contender with a T10 on it. I was very disappointed when I went 0-22 with it. I sucked. Between the trigger and the scope (after that BAT and Jewell) I simply yanked and flubbed and muttered and finally just put it in the case and quit. The barrel shoots fine. I just stunk it up and totally ruined my 75% hit ratio to that point. I ended the first day (9:30 AM to 1PM) with 64 confirmed dead.
Houston, Tranquility Base. Eagle has landed.
After several weeks and 4K+ miles, Mrs. Snert and her driver have arrived safely home in PA. So here is an update from when I last wrote:
After the beach in CT we headed out to OK where we spent a week visiting our daughter, SIL and grandbaby Abby. She is learning words, and "grandpa" came out "baba" then simply BAAAAB! So, ironically I am now grandpa "BAAAB". I am ok with that.
After five days we left eastern OK.
(sadly I missed a meet with @357Mag who has PM'd with me on and off for a year or more, but on our day to do lunch near Bartlesville and meet for real I was down with the revenge of Senor Mexamerican El Botulism and was in no shape to do anything but sit...) Next time Mag!
We drove out to an obscure little place in the panhandle where I met with my friend Mark who welcomes me at his ranch and allows me to shoot his prairie dogs. A true gentleman.
Mrs. Snert lounged in the comfort of our van reading while I engaged in a gluttony of shooting.
The weather was HOT, HOTTER, and DAMN HOT. And dry as a popcorn fart. But the PD didn't seem to care. Mark told me that the rattlers would stay in during the hottest times and he was correct. I saw a badger, a bunch of cottontails, several turtles, a few hawks and lots of vultures! Oh, and a beautiful black widow spider, see photos.
Day one was shooting from 100-250 yards and I took 64, mostly with the Vartarg. It was a bit windy, but hold off was not extreme. The VT is a gem. The BAT SV is smooth and the coned bolt is great for feeding (no Remington 700 flip). The Leupold 6-18 was set at 12 and was great for holding off in the wind. I can say the 34 gr Dogtown does a number on little dogs. I saw "rockets" launched, pizza being made, magical flying rodents and "parts is parts'...the THWOCK sound was loud and solid when a good hit was made. I can see why folks love the VT. No real barrel heating, continued accuracy into the 100 rounds fired zone, no recoil of note and plenty of "dead" spilled out to 250 yards. I did not shoot farther because I did not need to.
I did try my 17FB Contender with a T10 on it. I was very disappointed when I went 0-22 with it. I sucked. Between the trigger and the scope (after that BAT and Jewell) I simply yanked and flubbed and muttered and finally just put it in the case and quit. The barrel shoots fine. I just stunk it up and totally ruined my 75% hit ratio to that point. I ended the first day (9:30 AM to 1PM) with 64 confirmed dead.
Last edited:
snert
Silver $$ Contributor
On day two I started at 730, knowing we had to head out around 1PM for Colorado to see my son.
Upon arrival it was 80 degrees with an estimated 15MPH steady crosswind. Due to drought the landscape was lunar. Hardly a blade of grass in sight. Mark said that was terrible for his cattle but if any rattlers were out, I would see them. Thanks pardner...I hate snakes.
I started out shooting from the same spot but within an hour all the p-dogs that were close were either dead or educated and hiding. I took my tripod and went about 200 yards away from the van deeper into the "town". I set up on a knoll that overlooked an area I had not been able to see into the day before. PD scurried all over, out to 350 yards. I brought out the 722 222. I was shooting 50 grain TNT over Benchmark at about 3100 FPS. I soon discovered that if I turned the scope to 10X (same Leupold VX2 6-18) I could use the point of the heavy plex at 100, 200 and 300 in full value 90 degree wind as my aim point. Pure luck and serendipity. But it sure worked out some evil on the PD's. I cleaned a pile of them off at 200-275, with a few more at 300-350. I saw those turtles again, and no badgers.
I went back to the truck for more ammo...duh...and on my return walk discovered this guy about twenty feet from my tripod, having come out of a hole for the sun. Mark was right, with no grass it stood out like a bare chested girl in a church.
Note to self: Remember to put your 38 in your holster when venturing out in cooler weather...unfriendlies may take up residence under your tripod or nearby when you are off getting ammo.
Off topic, but I discovered that a 2 inch snubby 38 will shoot 135 grain bullets and snake shot about a foot below where you aim. I didn't know that.
Note to self: Don't ever again discover this while blasting haplessly at a pissed off rattler. Eventually a round found the mark and it was fire for effect. For all you snake lovers...go on, hate me. No I didn't eat it, nor skin it, nor touch that disgusting spawn of Satan that wiggled and jiggled for an hour after its head and neck were no longer one. Just saying...
The heat did take a toll on the 222. I put a wet towel on the barrel and it worked like a charm lowering the temp. The 50 grain TNT will certainly open up a PD. I shot my first, second, third and fourth double with it. I learned that if two pups are standing face to face "fighting", a TNT to the chest of one will not only get him but his buddy, while blowing both three feet in opposite directions. Cool.
I also got a triple. Three were crouched in a line, facing me. A TNT to the face of the first spread him out everywhere, eviserated #2 and shrapnel and parts killed the third guy in line. Amazing stuff.
My kill percentage went up, with several strings of 10-12 hits in a row. I also managed several 6-8 round strings of misses, truth be told.
In the end it was 156 total for two days.
We left OK wanting to shoot again, but very happy to have the pleasure of seeing Mark again and knowing we could return soon, or next year.
We went off to CO where I spent a day with my son and his new 308 at the range, popping steel. We met his church friends, enjoyed great fellowship, met new people and loved Canon City. We stayed a week and because I liked the scope on my son's rifle I ordered one from Eurooptic, a Vortex Strike Eagle 4-24 MOA. For $299 it was a no brainer.
We took three "days" to drive home, sleeping in rest stops (actually an adventure and cheap!) and hitting the gas stations and burger places for food. It was a great time to reevaluate life, slow down, live in the moment, hear God speak and even listen a little.. It was great to be home safely and it was bittersweet to return the van to Hertz today. It was a grand trip and a very special way to celebrate 35 years of marriage to the good Mrs. Snert.
Upon arrival it was 80 degrees with an estimated 15MPH steady crosswind. Due to drought the landscape was lunar. Hardly a blade of grass in sight. Mark said that was terrible for his cattle but if any rattlers were out, I would see them. Thanks pardner...I hate snakes.
I started out shooting from the same spot but within an hour all the p-dogs that were close were either dead or educated and hiding. I took my tripod and went about 200 yards away from the van deeper into the "town". I set up on a knoll that overlooked an area I had not been able to see into the day before. PD scurried all over, out to 350 yards. I brought out the 722 222. I was shooting 50 grain TNT over Benchmark at about 3100 FPS. I soon discovered that if I turned the scope to 10X (same Leupold VX2 6-18) I could use the point of the heavy plex at 100, 200 and 300 in full value 90 degree wind as my aim point. Pure luck and serendipity. But it sure worked out some evil on the PD's. I cleaned a pile of them off at 200-275, with a few more at 300-350. I saw those turtles again, and no badgers.
I went back to the truck for more ammo...duh...and on my return walk discovered this guy about twenty feet from my tripod, having come out of a hole for the sun. Mark was right, with no grass it stood out like a bare chested girl in a church.
Note to self: Remember to put your 38 in your holster when venturing out in cooler weather...unfriendlies may take up residence under your tripod or nearby when you are off getting ammo.
Off topic, but I discovered that a 2 inch snubby 38 will shoot 135 grain bullets and snake shot about a foot below where you aim. I didn't know that.
Note to self: Don't ever again discover this while blasting haplessly at a pissed off rattler. Eventually a round found the mark and it was fire for effect. For all you snake lovers...go on, hate me. No I didn't eat it, nor skin it, nor touch that disgusting spawn of Satan that wiggled and jiggled for an hour after its head and neck were no longer one. Just saying...
The heat did take a toll on the 222. I put a wet towel on the barrel and it worked like a charm lowering the temp. The 50 grain TNT will certainly open up a PD. I shot my first, second, third and fourth double with it. I learned that if two pups are standing face to face "fighting", a TNT to the chest of one will not only get him but his buddy, while blowing both three feet in opposite directions. Cool.
I also got a triple. Three were crouched in a line, facing me. A TNT to the face of the first spread him out everywhere, eviserated #2 and shrapnel and parts killed the third guy in line. Amazing stuff.
My kill percentage went up, with several strings of 10-12 hits in a row. I also managed several 6-8 round strings of misses, truth be told.
In the end it was 156 total for two days.
We left OK wanting to shoot again, but very happy to have the pleasure of seeing Mark again and knowing we could return soon, or next year.
We went off to CO where I spent a day with my son and his new 308 at the range, popping steel. We met his church friends, enjoyed great fellowship, met new people and loved Canon City. We stayed a week and because I liked the scope on my son's rifle I ordered one from Eurooptic, a Vortex Strike Eagle 4-24 MOA. For $299 it was a no brainer.
We took three "days" to drive home, sleeping in rest stops (actually an adventure and cheap!) and hitting the gas stations and burger places for food. It was a great time to reevaluate life, slow down, live in the moment, hear God speak and even listen a little.. It was great to be home safely and it was bittersweet to return the van to Hertz today. It was a grand trip and a very special way to celebrate 35 years of marriage to the good Mrs. Snert.
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Snert -
Howdy, once again !
My oh my.... what a trip(s) !!! And, you haven't even told us about your groundhog exploits after your return home ! As mentioned in your post quotes, there's a lot of good that can be accomplished by a
" Godly man " with his rifle !
Man.... wonderful, engaging writing', and superb pics ! Can't tell you how much I enjoy reading your ( and Fredo's exploits ) !!
Have been giving thought to a PD w/ my best friend & shooting buddy from back in NE Indiana.
I'm adding OK as a potential location for shooting PD, after reading about your experience.
Glad when I read you had recovered from what some might call " the Epizootics". I do still hold hope for an eventual meet up, and some lively show "N' tell.
Great stuff, and please keep it comin' !
With regards,
357Mag
dellet
Gold $$ Contributor
There’s a thread over on PDWidowTales titled “35 years and all I got was drug around for a month in a hippie van”. It sounds like they might have plagiarized your story, might check it out.
Congratulations on a fun trip to celebrate 35 years of a wonderful life, with what is clearly a wonderful woman. With all the garbage going on these days, renting a van, sleeping on the road for a month to visit the kids and grandkids, is an example of family life we all need.
Thanks for a glimpse into the Snert family, and the inspiration. 36 for us in About a month and she says “no road trips”
Congratulations on a fun trip to celebrate 35 years of a wonderful life, with what is clearly a wonderful woman. With all the garbage going on these days, renting a van, sleeping on the road for a month to visit the kids and grandkids, is an example of family life we all need.
Thanks for a glimpse into the Snert family, and the inspiration. 36 for us in About a month and she says “no road trips”
Congrats on your upcoming anniversary as well dellet. Jodie is my 2cd wife, we celebrated 20 years last May. She fly fished with me every day of our honeymoon but alas, was content on the recliner 20 years later.There’s a thread over on PDWidowTales titled “35 years and all I got was drug around for a month in a hippie van”. It sounds like they might have plagiarized your story, might check it out.
Congratulations on a fun trip to celebrate 35 years of a wonderful life, with what is clearly a wonderful woman. With all the garbage going on these days, renting a van, sleeping on the road for a month to visit the kids and grandkids, is an example of family life we all need.
Thanks for a glimpse into the Snert family, and the inspiration. 36 for us in About a month and she says “no road trips”
snert
Silver $$ Contributor
Good to hear from you both @dellet and @rebel .
We took a lot of ribbing from my wife's extended family..one sent us a purple shag carpet, another suggested a lava lamp and a baggie? References to "rocky Mountain High, and Up in Smoke seemed to be the running joke since we were going to CO. Of course, "If this van is rocking...." jokes were worn out.
But in the end, every one of them said they were envious. I found this funny, since one family travels on two to three cruises a year and another regularly takes off for national parks all over the US. I guess maybe the idea of going on the cheap was the appeal. In the end it cost us a couple grand in food, gas, rental and lumber but again, it was almost five weeks of fun.
I found it amazing that NONE of them saw the groundhog and PD shooting part of it as interesting or fun. Luddites.
Tomorrow I will be putting the guns up, sorting brass, counting empties (and NO I AM NOT POSTING HOW MANY THERE ARE!) You all can go on believin Ol' Snert never misses, OK?
Then I will be shifting gears into preparing to install my vault door on my reloading room. It is due to arrive in mid August.
I have about three weeks till I have to go back to work, which is going to suck. If any of you all are praying men, I would appreciate it if you would ask for ol' Snert to find a job that better fits him. I'll trust the Lord to do the choosing.
I will be cutting back on visiting here, cutting way back on diversions. As I said, the trip included a lot of listening for God and as a result I am reading a great book called the "Ruthless Elimination of Hurry" By Mark Comer. Very helpful for this middle aged guy questioning the pace of life I have found myself trapped in over the last few years. I do recommend the book. (Ya listening JD?)
Anyhow, guys, thanks for following along, and don't be surprised if your PM's go unanswered for 6 or 7 days at a time. I'll be around, but I have to put my heart in a different place, eh?
Best to you all,
Snert
We took a lot of ribbing from my wife's extended family..one sent us a purple shag carpet, another suggested a lava lamp and a baggie? References to "rocky Mountain High, and Up in Smoke seemed to be the running joke since we were going to CO. Of course, "If this van is rocking...." jokes were worn out.
But in the end, every one of them said they were envious. I found this funny, since one family travels on two to three cruises a year and another regularly takes off for national parks all over the US. I guess maybe the idea of going on the cheap was the appeal. In the end it cost us a couple grand in food, gas, rental and lumber but again, it was almost five weeks of fun.
I found it amazing that NONE of them saw the groundhog and PD shooting part of it as interesting or fun. Luddites.
Tomorrow I will be putting the guns up, sorting brass, counting empties (and NO I AM NOT POSTING HOW MANY THERE ARE!) You all can go on believin Ol' Snert never misses, OK?
Then I will be shifting gears into preparing to install my vault door on my reloading room. It is due to arrive in mid August.
I have about three weeks till I have to go back to work, which is going to suck. If any of you all are praying men, I would appreciate it if you would ask for ol' Snert to find a job that better fits him. I'll trust the Lord to do the choosing.
I will be cutting back on visiting here, cutting way back on diversions. As I said, the trip included a lot of listening for God and as a result I am reading a great book called the "Ruthless Elimination of Hurry" By Mark Comer. Very helpful for this middle aged guy questioning the pace of life I have found myself trapped in over the last few years. I do recommend the book. (Ya listening JD?)
Anyhow, guys, thanks for following along, and don't be surprised if your PM's go unanswered for 6 or 7 days at a time. I'll be around, but I have to put my heart in a different place, eh?
Best to you all,
Snert
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